www.scoilcheoil.com

Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh is back, bigger and better and packed to the rafters with music events for all ages and interests. Events take place around Ballyferriter in the Dingle Peninsula and things kick off on Wednesday Feb 22nd and continue through to Sunday the 26th. The major draws are the classes and the 3 major concerts. Classes take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 1pm. If you haven’t booked your place yet contact eolas@scoilcheoil.com or 087 3559938 to keep a place.
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www.bodhrangradetutor.com

A Grade 2 Bodhrán Tutor book and CD designed to meet the local needs of a bodhrán class in Mullaghbawn for the next 4 years has sold out worldwide across 13 countries in 3 months. Orders have come from London, New York, Nova Scotia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Kildare, Oman, France, Germany, Spain, and even one from South Korea! (more…)

Martin McHugh passed away in Roscrea, County Tipperary, on February 9th after a long battle with cancer. Martin was raised in Glasgow, he was one of the famous McHugh family, with their roots in Donegal, The family’s connection with North Tipperary, which remains as strong as ever, came about when Martin’s father Jimmy befriended the accordion player Paddy O’Brien.
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www.nch.ie

There was a high standard among the young traditional music and singing groups ( 32 in total ) who participated in the recent workshops, thanks to their teachers and mentors !
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The Ray D’Arcy Show on RTE One Television is looking for Ireland’s Traddest Family. If your family LOVE playing trad music together, then get emailing us with your Mp3 and/or video recordings to traddestfamily@rte.ie. The closing date for entries is 24th February. Who knows, you and your family could get the chance to perform together on the Ray D’Arcy Show.
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“Westward”, the new CD by Éilís Kennedy is a product of life on the Atlantic fringe, with songs in English and Irish inspired by famous musical nights in Dingle and beyond. Having travelled to the west coast of California to record with Grammy Award winning guitarist William Coulter, this album reflects where Éilís is at now, as an artist. Featuring traditional and contemporary songs and in a new departure for Kennedy, two self-penned originals, referencing her own distinct place and people.
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The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced details of more than €9 million in capital funding for arts and culture centres across the country. The Minister made the announcement as part of the Creative Ireland programme, with funding provided under her Department’s Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018. (more…)

www.compassrecords.com

On February 13th, 2017 Compass Records of Nashville, announced the signing of Dublin-based roots band, I Draw Slow.

The label said of the band “Their combination of compelling song-writing, exuberant live performances and passion for tradition make I Draw Slow a perfect fit for Compass Records, a label with a long history of working with Irish artists within their diverse roster of roots music.”
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www.beogamusic.com

Ed Sheeran recently disclosed that Irish band Beoga lived and jammed with him whilst working on his upcoming third album. Whilst working with Sheeran, the band was also finalizing their 5th studio album, Before We Change Our Mind, which has been released to great critical acclaim. Speaking on BBC Radio1, Sheeran announced, “I’ve always wanted to do this and they are really, really talented”.
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Celtic MKE Position Statement:
Disincentives for foreign artists performing in the United States

Milwaukee Irish Fest will present its 37th annual festival in August 2017. As a major purchaser of foreign talent, we are seriously concerned that complying with existing non-immigrant Visa, tax rules and associated costs is becoming an increasing challenge. Most importantly, it is a major disincentive for foreign artists who would like to perform in the US.
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